The School Leaders Our Children Deserve: Seven Keys to Equity, Social Justice, and School Reform

by George Theoharis

George Theoharis draws on the experiences and words of successful public school principals committed to advancing equity, social justice, and school reform to show why social justice leadership is needed and how it can be effective. Although facing tremendous barriers, these principals made important strides toward closing the achievement gap in their schools through the use of humane and equitable practices. Featuring a mix of theory and practical strategies, this timely book portrays how real school leaders seek, create, and sustain equitable schools, especially for marginalized students. The author identifies seven “keys” that are crucial for social justice Key 1: Acquire Broad, Reconceptualized Consciousness/Knowledge/Skill Base Key 2: Possess Core Leadership Traits Key 3: Advance Inclusion, Access, and Opportunity for All Key 4: Improve the Core Learning Context - Both the Teaching and the Curriculum Key 5: Create a Climate of Belonging Key 6: Raise Student Achievement Key 7: Sustain Oneself Professionally and Personally

Genres: Education, Nonfiction, School

192 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2009

Reviews

[William · Rating 3 out of 5]

Those schools just need so much reformin' the social justicen just ain't coming fast enough. This book is a guide to doing just that. There are seven doors to a child's success and each door has its own key and each key has its own key keeper, but each key keeper has a key caddy or assistant key keeper. Children are precious they deserve to walk through those doors. This key guide shows us the way.
This book is for: Principals only. Don't read it if you ain't one or else you will be reported to the principal's...........association.

[AJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book, although I am not sure the kind of leadership Theoharis writes about is sustainable. He himself is an example of this as he has moved on from a principal position to a position in higher ed.

[SarahReads · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have major issues with this book. The author includes himself in the case studies. It comes across as sort of boastful and unauthentic. Also, the book is frustratingly vague in terms of the practices these leaders actually used to achieve equity and social justice in their schools.

[sami · Rating 5 out of 5]

hell yeah george theoharis. this book rules.

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book was well written and very easy to follow. Theoharis gives good practical insights into the challenges, rewards, and hardships of being a principal. It was refreshing reading about the tough times principals face, especially when facing the tough task of social justice. The book helped open my eyes to the idea of social justice at all schools at any cost. It is all rooted in inclusion for all learners at all levels, which is a tough task in many schools. I believe this is very necessary in our schools today and I am happy my professor asked us to read this book.